The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1887-01-04
a Scrap of Paper.

The performance of "Scrap of Paper" at
the Opera House last Thursday evening
proved thorough success. The comedy is
not one of boisterous fun and strong situa-
tons, 1t is one Astounding in delicate raillery
and depends upon the development of its
plot. Very soon after the curtain went up.
1t was very clear that the house had began to
understand and, as point after point received
its commendation in little ripples of laughter,
the performers evidently felt encouraged and
the play proceeded with plenty of 'go." The
pivot on which the play turns is letter
written by Louise, the Baroness Miss Parke1
to Prosper Couramont (Mr. ]. f. BROWN
before her marriage to the Baron Mr.. w.
Morsel. This letter has remained in its hid
ing place for three years, and on the meeting
of the parties at the end of that time there is
no end of Efforts on both the part of Prosper
and Louise to get possession of it.
The action, as we have said, is bright and
the players made the most of their opportu-
mites. Miss Parke was dignified Baroness,
at the same time throwing much pathos into
the character i'll the second act Her concep-
ton of the character was we'll worked out.
Mrs. J. L. Stong made an admirable Suzanne.
q gay, intriguing Parisienne. The part is a
very difficult one, and was carried off with
UeTre, as the French have 1t. Especially to be
commended were the first entrance, tue same
in Prosper's room and the admirable bit of
dClluS Hutu CuLdlll6 pLtlClluS ~ D6 III lONb
with Prosper in order to save the Baroness.
Miss Makee, as Mathilde, was new to our
audience: she was bright and charming with
Just the dash of Self-consciousness that the
''ingenuen should have. Miss Kings Zeno-
bic, an old maid, was carefully thought out
part, most carefully played. The role is not
a grateful one except to those who appre-
ciate dramatic art-and Miss King evidently
does, sinking her own identity to give natu-
ralness TO her representation. Miss Akin
son made pert little maid and with more
experience will gain that "chic" which
stage chamber maids should possess.
OF the gentleman Prosper, (Mr. j. F.
Brown of course stands first. He performed
an arduous part calling forth a considerable
mental strain in an excellent manner. He
showed both careful study and much natural
wit. Mr.. Morse's Baron was admirably
done, the contrast between the self-contained
man of the first act with the fire of the
Jealous man in the second was excellent
The scene between Prosper and the Baron
when both are playing at cross purposes III
the third act was admirably rendered. Mr.
Hastings, as Brisemouche, happy -go-lucky
landed proprietor, was thoroughly success
full. His makeup was good, and his acting
and delivery were capital One could not
help liking the hearty old bachelor. Mr.. T.
Bishop as Anatole, the lover, with a con-
siderable spice of fun in him, soon won the
house. His business" was very good. The
scene of the footstool brought down the
audience, and the whole episode in the con-
servatory was irresistibly funny. Mr. Dow
sett made good Baptiste, but it was not a.
character calculated to bring him forward
the mirrit lay in playing the part as it was
intended.
Before closing our criticism, we must
speak of the stage. Never has the stage of
the Hawaiian Opera House been so we'll set
The most valuable of drawing-room orna-
ments and furniture enhanced the interest
of the play. The conservatory scene was
filled with palms, ferns and valuable trop-
ical plants. Prosper's room was crowded
with real curios. For this stage setting the
public have to thank Mrs. F. Hastings. She
was most interchangeable She not only sup
piled what her Dan drawing-room and CON
servatory could give, but she obtained mate
rails from her many friends.
The piece was an undoubted success and
rebounds to the credit of all the players,
and it equally rebounds to the credit of Mrs.
Hastings for her setting of it. We hope
that at no distant date the Honolulu Anna
teurs will give Us another treat